YAML to XML Converter
Convert YAML configuration files to XML format. Perfect for transforming Kubernetes configs, Docker Compose, or CI/CD YAML to XML for SOAP APIs, RSS feeds, legacy systems, and enterprise applications.
Conversion Options
Recommended Settings
XML Best Practices
- •Always include XML declaration for proper encoding specification
- •Use well-formed XML with single root element and properly closed tags
- •Escape special characters: &, <, >, ", ' using entity references
- •Use CDATA sections for large text blocks with special characters
- •Keep element names descriptive and use consistent naming conventions
YAML to XML Migration Tips
- •YAML nested objects become XML elements with child elements
- •YAML arrays can be unwrapped (multiple elements) or wrapped (container)
- •YAML comments are lost - XML comments must be added manually if needed
- •Sort keys alphabetically for consistent output in version control
- •Use type attributes to preserve YAML data types for round-trip conversion
Pro Tips
- •Unwrap arrays creates multiple elements with same name (common in RSS/SOAP)
- •CDATA sections preserve formatting and special characters without escaping
- •Type attributes help preserve YAML type information for reverse conversion
- •All conversion happens client-side - your data never leaves your browser
Most Popular
Pretty print enabled with XML declaration and 2-space indent
When to Use This Tool
Convert YAML data to XML for SOAP API requests. SOAP exclusively uses XML for message exchange. Transform your YAML configs to properly formatted SOAP envelope bodies for legacy enterprise integrations and web services.
Generate RSS or Atom feed XML from YAML data structures. Perfect for creating podcast feeds, blog syndication, or news aggregators that require XML format with specific element structures and namespaces.
Interface with older enterprise systems that only accept XML. Convert YAML configs to XML for banking, healthcare, and government systems that require XML for data exchange due to established standards like HL7, ACORD, or EDIFACT.
Migrate from YAML-based configs (Kubernetes, Docker, CI/CD) to XML config files for applications like Spring, Maven, Ant, or .NET that use XML for configuration. Transform modern YAML to legacy XML formats.
Transform YAML data into XML for processing with XSLT stylesheets. XSLT is powerful for XML-to-HTML/PDF transformations in reporting, documentation, and publishing systems that require structured XML input.
Convert YAML to XML for EDI (Electronic Data Interchange), SVG graphics data, or other XML-based formats like KML for maps, MusicXML for notation, or SCORM for e-learning content packages.
How It Works
Parse and validate YAML input using js-yaml library
Sort object keys alphabetically if option enabled
Check root and array element names are valid XML identifiers
Traverse YAML structure recursively
Convert YAML objects to XML elements with child elements
Handle YAML arrays based on unwrap setting (multiple elements vs container)
Escape special characters (&, <, >, ", ') or wrap in CDATA
Apply formatting (indentation, line breaks) if pretty print enabled
Add XML declaration <?xml version="1.0"?> if enabled
Output well-formed XML ready for download or copy
100% Private
Files never leave your device. All processing happens locally in your browser.
Lightning Fast
Powered by Pure JavaScript for optimal performance on modern browsers.
Secure
No data collection, no tracking, no sign-up required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between unwrapped and wrapped arrays?
Unwrapped arrays create multiple elements with the same name (e.g., <item>1</item><item>2</item>). Wrapped arrays create a container element with item children (e.g., <array><item>1</item><item>2</item></array>). Unwrapped is common in RSS and SOAP, wrapped preserves array structure for round-trip conversion.
When should I use CDATA sections?
Use CDATA for large text blocks with HTML, code snippets, or special characters. CDATA preserves formatting and avoids escaping characters like <, >, &. For example: <![CDATA[<script>alert('test')</script>]]> keeps the HTML intact without escaping. Don't use CDATA for simple strings.
What are type attributes and when are they useful?
Type attributes add type="string|number|boolean|null|object|array" to each element. They preserve YAML type information, which is lost in plain XML (everything is text). Useful for round-trip YAML→XML→YAML conversion or when consumers need to know original types.
How are invalid XML element names handled?
YAML keys with spaces, special characters, or starting with numbers are automatically sanitized. Invalid characters become underscores, and names starting with numbers get an underscore prefix. For example, '123-key name' becomes '_123_key_name'. Manual validation warnings appear for custom root/array names.
What happens to YAML comments?
YAML comments (lines starting with #) are lost during conversion because the intermediate JavaScript object doesn't preserve comments. XML supports comments, but they must be added manually to the XML output if documentation is needed.
How are YAML anchors and aliases handled?
YAML anchors (&name) and aliases (*name) are automatically resolved during parsing. The js-yaml library expands all references, so the XML output contains the full data structure. XML doesn't have anchor/alias features, so duplicated data appears in full.
Can I convert YAML arrays at the root level?
Yes, but the array will be wrapped in a root element. XML requires a single root element, so root-level YAML arrays like [1,2,3] become <root><item>1</item><item>2</item><item>3</item></root>. Use the 'unwrap arrays' option to control array element generation.
Is my data secure during conversion?
Absolutely! All conversion happens entirely in your browser using client-side JavaScript. Your YAML data never leaves your computer or gets sent to any server. The tool works completely offline after the page loads. No data is stored or transmitted.